Kluivert and Rayan rock Real Sociedad as Bournemouth win on European bow
The first goal that AFC Bournemouth ever scored in Europe could be heard out on the Bay of Biscay. The second sounded around San Sebastián soon after. A tradition from Real Sociedad’s old Atotxa ground, recovered at Anoeta in 2009, dictates that a single firework is set off every time the visitors score while two are lit when the home team do; that way those out to sea know the score. And so it was that at 21.41 on a Thursday night in September 2026, Justin Kluivert found the net and Juan Iturralde ran out into the street to let everyone what had happened.
TL;DR
- AFC Bournemouth secured their first European victory against Real Sociedad.
- Justin Kluivert scored Bournemouth's first European goal, followed by a second from Rayan.
- Real Sociedad mounted a comeback in the second half, scoring once.
- Djordje Petrovic made several critical saves to secure the win for Bournemouth.
- The match was Bournemouth's debut in European competition after 127 years.